Tubing connector

ABSTRACT

An inventive tubing connector includes a tube (22) having an upset portion (24) receiving within a housing (26). a retainer (30) is positioned between an outer end of the housing and the upset portion to prevent tube removal. A seal (48) within the housing provides a fluid tight seal between the housing and the tube. The seal is preferably formed of toughened fluorosilicone, such that it provides a secure fluid tight seal over a temperature range down to about -50° below zero.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to improvements in tubing connectors.

Various types of tubing connectors are known wherein a tube is connectedby a threaded member to a housing body. Several of these tubingconnectors are used on most vehicles. These systems have proven somewhatdeficient in that they are time consuming and difficult to assemble.Further, it is difficult to ensure that the tube is properly positionedwithin the housing body with such connectors.

Known tubing connectors may have included a seal to provide a fluidtight seal between tile housing body and the tube. These seals may havebeen formed of materials such that they provide a fluid tight seal attemperatures down to about 20° below zero Fahrenheit. Until recently,vehicles have not been operable below that temperature range. Recently,however, modifications to vehicle technology have allowed vehicles tooperate at temperatures ranging down to 40° below zero Fahrenheit. Thus,the prior art seals may prove somewhat deficient in the lowertemperature ranges.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a disclosed embodiment of the present invention, a tube having aradially enlarged, or upset portion is positioned within a housing. Aresilient retainer abuts the upset portion and prevents tube removal.Several retainer embodiments are disclosed.

Seals are positioned within the housing to provide a fluid tight sealbetween the housing and an inner end of the tube. Preferably, there aretwo spaced seals, with an outer seal being formed of toughenedfluorosilicone, and the inner seal being formed of a blend offluorosilicone and fluorocarbon. The outer seal is adaptable to lowertemperature ranges, and provides a good seal down to about 50° belowzero Fahrenheit. The outer seal is formed of a material which has provenfluid tight reliability at less extreme temperature ranges. Thecombination of the two seals provides a fluid tight seal that isreliable across the normal the vehicle operating temperature range.

These and other features of the present invention can be best understoodfrom the following specification and drawings, of which the following isa brief description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a first embodiment tubingconnector.

FIG. 2 is an end view through the first embodiment tubing connector inan assembled condition.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through the tubing connector shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment retainer.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment retainer.

FIG. 6 is an end view of a third embodiment retainer according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment retainer.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing details of the connection of ametal conduit.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment retainer.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view through a sixth embodiment retainer.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the retainer shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment retainer.

FIG. 13 is another embodiment of a tubing connector according toepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A tubing connector 20 includes tube 22 having upset portion 24, andpositioned within a connector housing 26, shown partially cut away.Upset portion 24 is outwardly ramped. A plurality of slots 28 extendthrough the wall of connector housing 26 and receive a retainer 30.Retainer 30 has a pair of legs 32 which extend through spaced slots 28and are received axially outwardly of upset portion 24 to retain tube 22within housing 26. Slots 28 are sufficiently large to allow legs 32 tomove radially. Latches 34 ensure that retainer 30 is not removed fromhousing 26. Surfaces 33 conform to the shape of tube 22, and are biasedradially outwardly by upset portion 24, to allow passage of upsetportion 24 into housing 26 to a connected position. The ramped upsetportion 24 facilitates this insertion.

FIG. 2 shows retainer 30 received within housing 26. Surfaces 33 wouldbe contacted by a tube upon insertion, Latches 34 prevent removal ofretainer 30 from housing 26.

As shown in FIG. 3, a first outer seal 48 is spaced from an outer end oftube 22 by a spacer 50. A second spacer 52 is disposed between firstseal 48 and a second inner seal 54. In a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, first seal 48 is formed of a material which isresistant to extremely low temperatures, and which is also resistant toabrasion. In one embodiment an O-ring formed of entirely of toughenedfluorosilicone is used. In a further preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, second seal 54 is formed of a different material which hasproven fluid sealing capability at less extreme temperature ranges. Thisinner seal 54 is not contacted by a tube for as long as seal 48. In onepreferred embodiment, a blend of fluorosilicone and fluorocarbon wasused for second seal 54. The spacers may be formed of Nylon 11 or 12.Housing 26 is preferably a 90 degree elbow with an extension 29 having aserrated outer periphery for receiving a flexible tubing.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative retainer 40 having legs 41 with innersurfaces 4a conforming to the shape of tube 22. Thinner portions 33 and35 will allow bleed-off of high pressure, as will be explained below.Latches 42 extend laterally outwardly from legs 41.

As shown in FIG. 5, when retainer 40 is received within housing 26, itprevents removal of upset portion 24 axially outwardly of housing 26.This retains tube 22 in housing 26.

A seal assembly consists of an O-ring 36 and a spacer 38 positionedaxially inwardly of upset portion 24. 0-ring 36 contacts an inner end oftube 22 and provides a fluid tight seal. It is preferred that O-ring 36is formed of a material similar to that used for O-ring 48.

Tube 22 may move to a bleed-off position where the end of tube 22 nolonger contacts seal 36, such that pressure may escape from theconnector 20. To reach this position thinner portions 33 and 35 arealigned with slots 28 and retainer 30 is moved axially outwardly, butremains within slots 28. Tube 22 no longer contacts seal 36, andpressure may bleed-off.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative retainer 60 having a pair of central legs 64and a pair of outer legs 62. Outer legs 62 are received outwardly ofhousing 26, and ears 68 allow outer legs to be removed from housing 26.Surfaces 66 contact upset portion 24 of tube 22 and are biased radiallyoutwardly to allow the tube 22 to move inwardly of the housing 26.

FIG. 7 shows yet another embodiment retainer 40' having a pair of legs41' which extend through slots in a housing 41 similar to slots 28 asshown in FIG. 1. Latches 42' prevent removal of legs 41' from thehousing. Lateral inner surfaces 44' contact a tube and are biasedradially outwardly by passage of the upset portion of the tube. Surfaces44' extend laterally outwardly of legs 41'.

FIG. 8 shows an arrangement for securing a metal conduit 67 withinhousing 26. As shown, tube 22 has upset portion 24 which abuts spacer38. Spacer 38 abuts a seal 36 which abuts a second spacer. Conduit 67 ispositioned within housing 26 and seal 36 and the spacers seal betweenconduit 67 and tube 22.

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment retainer 70 retaining a tube 68 havingupset portion 69. Portions 74 extend through slots, such as slots 28,and have serrated teeth such that they wedge tube 68 and upset portion69 within a housing.

FIG. 10 shows yet another retainer 82 for retaining a tube 78 having anupset portion 80 within a housing 76. Retainer 82 has a pair of outergrips 83 connected to a ring 84, and a pair of axially and radiallyinwardly extending legs 86 which abut upset portion 80. When it isdesired to remove tube 78 from housing 76, one pivots grips 82 radiallyinwardly, which in turn pivots legs 86 radially outwardly. Upset portion80 may then move axially outwardly of housing 76. When it is desired toinsert tube 78 into housing 86, upset portion 80 is forced against aninner peripheral surface of legs 86, which bow radially outwardly toallow passage of upset portion 80. Seals 48 and 54 of materials similarto those used in FIG. 3 are included. FIG. 11 is a perspective view ofretainer 82, and shows grips 83 connected to ring 84, which is alsoconnected to legs 86.

FIG. 12 is a view of yet another embodiment retainer 90 having a ring 92connected to legs 94. Positioning members 96 grip the outer lip ofhousing 76. Tube insertion is similar to that with retainer 82 as shownin FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 shows a final embodiment 100 having a housing 102 for securing apair of opposed tubes 104 and 106. Upset portions 108 on tubes 104 and106 are abutted by retainers 110. Thus, two tubes 104 and 106 may bequickly and securely connected. Seals 112, 114 are positioned withinhousing 102 with outer seals 112, and inner seals 114 preferably formedof the respective materials disclosed with reference to FIG. 3.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed,however, a worker of ordinary skill in the art would recognize thatcertain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. Forthat reason, the following claims should be studied in order todetermine the true scope and content of this invention.

I claim:
 1. A tubing connector for use in automotive vehicle fluid linesystems comprising:a tube extending along an axis, having a first outerdiameter over the majority of its axial length, and having an upsetportion of a greater outer diameter over a limited portion of its axiallength; a housing, said tube having an axially inner end extending intosaid housing, at least one seal formed entirely of toughenedfluorosilicone disposed within said housing and contacting said housingand contacting said tube at an axial location between said upset portionand said inner end of said tube to provide a fluid seal between saidtube and said housing; and retainer means having resilient memberspositioned between an axially outer end of said housing and said upsetportion, said resilient members normally abutting said upset portion toprevent tube removal from said housing, said resilient members beingdeformable radially outwardly to allow said upset portion to axiallypass said resilient members.
 2. A tubing connector as recited in claim1, wherein said retainer means is generally C-shaped, and has tworesilient legs which abut said upset portion of said tube.
 3. A tubingconnector as recited in claim 2, wherein there are slots extendingthrough a radial wall of said housing, said legs extending through saidslots, and said legs each have latches extending laterally inwardly toprevent removal of said legs from said slots.
 4. A tubing connector asrecited in claim 1, wherein said retainer means has a plurality of legsextending axially and radially inwardly from an outer end of saidhousing and abutting said upset portion of said tube, said legs beingresiliently deformable radially outwardly such that said tube may beinserted into said housing by forcing said upset portion against aninner peripheral surface of said legs until said legs deform radiallyoutwardly and allow passage of said upset portion, said legs beingflexing radially inwardly once said upset portion has moved beyond anaxially inner end of said legs to retain said upset portion in saidhousing.
 5. A tubing connector as recited in claim 1, wherein there area pair of seals received within said housing.
 6. A tubing connector asrecited in claim 5, wherein an axially outer seal is formed of a blendof fluorosilicone and fluorocarbon.
 7. A tubing connector as recited inclaim 6, wherein said at least one seal, an axially inner seal.